The U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into around 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs, following reports of sudden engine stalls that often leave the vehicles unable to restart. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted that 2022 RAM 1500 pickup trucks and 2022 Jeep Wagoneer SUVs are facing issues attributed to electrical faults that may lead to engine shutdowns.
So far, 80 consumer complaints have been lodged regarding engine stalls and loss of power in these Stellantis-manufactured vehicles, which are powered by the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Group LLC (FCA) 5.7L Hemi eTorque hybrid engines. Many complaints detail instances where the engine cuts off while driving at slow speeds, with vehicles unexpectedly shifting into park and engaging the emergency brake.
While no injuries have been reported related to these malfunctions, the NHTSA’s preliminary investigation could potentially lead to a recall of the affected models. Stellantis has publicly stated that it will fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
This investigation comes during a challenging time for Stellantis, as its brands—Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram—have experienced a decline in sales during the second quarter. Furthermore, earlier this month, a separate recall investigation involving 94,000 Jeep Wranglers was launched, and in June, the company recalled over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a software issue that heightened crash risks.
On a hopeful note, Stellantis’s cooperation with the investigation demonstrates its commitment to ensuring customer safety and transparency, which could help restore consumer confidence in the brand in the long run.
Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating 150,000 Ram trucks and Jeep SUVs for sudden engine stalls that may prevent the vehicles from restarting. The probe follows multiple consumer complaints about loss of power in certain 2022 models, but no injuries have been reported. This latest development adds to ongoing challenges for Stellantis, which is dealing with declining sales and recent recalls. The company’s cooperation with the investigation may help rebuild trust with consumers.